Inspected an Amana 2005 3.5 ton for a 2300 square foot home this does not seem big enough, the temperature differential was 11 degrees which is too low would this be the problem. Filter and evaporator coil were clear.
A lot of variables to consider…
Here is some interesting reading for you:
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3809&highlight=splits
Did you happen to notice the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating)?
The size of the unit can depend on its rating. Three and a-half tons is a lot of cooling.
WOW! I agree with Jae .
In this case I would just transfer this of to an Expert in ac units.
Recommend further evaluation by qualified AC person.
Roy Cooke sr… Royshomeinspection.com
General "concept " I read is 1 ton/ per 500 Sq Foot.
BUT don’t hold me to that… Depends on so many other factors…
Need the “tempies” (HVAC techs) for a complete understanding…
Not sure, but I think around here you have to run a manual J load calc before the HVAC guys can get a permit to do any installations.
Don’t count on that…
In another time and another place…maybe. Today, with the higher efficiency units the tonnage is less to accomplish the same thing.
I have a 2400sqft home and when the temp was upper 90’s and humid recently for several weeks it was comfortable in our house.
We have a** 2.5** to unit–3 years old. There are many factors to consider concerning sizing the unit for a house. (And an 11 degree split isn’t one of them…that really doesn’t mean a thing for an inspector’s purposes.)
Jae,
Thanks for the information. What do you look for when inspecting the a/c if not the splits. Do you take the panel off and check the evaporator coil etc?Don, just be aware that there are competing opinions regarding a/c splits and sizing. I too use the very, very rough rule of thumb of 500 sf/ton and I also check for 14° to 21° splits but that’s just me. I hear, understand and choose to ignore the temp split nay-sayer’s until a better method is presented. Now, have you read the 130 post thread that Larry recommended in post #2 and developed your own opinion? 
: http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3809&highlight=splits
I’ll let Jae answer that, but your job as a HI is to determine if it works, not determine the engineering design.
When you turn on the t-stat, what happens?
NACHI and Sate SOP’s allow for extended services, but you had better understand what is going on before you do. It takes longer to become a good HAVC Tech than becoming a Home Inspector. It also requires EPA Certification. If you do all these things, why not work on HAVC? There is more money in it!
We HAVC guys are here generally because we are broken. I broke my back. Some loose their knees! And working for yourself is better than working for an incompetent employer (in my case, one that demanded dry bulb temp splits on all service calls).
There is a lot of good information available here to learn about and there is no dumb question.
Read before you ask though. Then ask specific questions you have. A lot of this info has been covered in the archives.
Our SOP says we do not remove other than user accessible panels. Stick with the SOP. A look at the bottom of the coil through a filter access with a mirror works.
In az it would be a 5 ton unit.
A psychrometer and a psychrometric chart is all you need to determine the btu’s added/removed from the air.
We need to take enthalpy splits not dry bulb temperature splits.
If we are going to go beyond HI protocol, we need to do it correctly.
I too put my words of wit on the temp split subject. Run the air flow rate down with a dirty filter and the temp split goes high. Run the air flow too high and the split is too low because the air does not stay around long enough to get cooled.
And yes the HVAC boys set these systems up with the math of their butts.
Now where do we sit to say it is good or bad???
Real simple – does it work at time of inspection?? This is true for hot or cold temp differential. BTU’s needed in or out are the same thing if you are too hot or too cold.
To check a system with one reading and say yes or no is going out on a very dead limb. I would rather bet on a current reading from the compressor as to the general health of the unit. Remember a unit could be under or over-sized unit and running as per mfg specs and the client can still be unhappy with the electric bill or some hot or cold pockets in the home that are not at the right temp.
So inspect by the seat of your panes. If you think it is undersized or in need of service go out on a limb and say so. Just be ready to pay the bill if nothing is wrong. Remember it is your opinion
rlb
…an so is presented a better method.
But that sort of thing is not for the HI. We’re not there to service the unit.
As an HI what would you be inspecting the coil for? What do you think you might see and how would you report it?? …and “what…for?” does not mean why. I’m asking what are you looking for as an HI?
So Jae do you recommend that HVAC units be out of our SOP??
I still go back to the fact that if you think it is bad report it
rlb
Not at all. But I wouldn’t recommend taking off the panels. I turn down the thermostat and let 'er rip. As hot as it has been this summer, the client is glad to have it on.
And isn’t that what air conditioning is all about–cooling the people inside the house? If they’re comfortable, so am I…and leave it at that.
I see nothing wrong with recording splits–sometimes it can be used to show someone that the unit is cooling. But HIs should be careful about relying too much on splits for information.
Report that it is working…how well it’s working is really not an HI bailiwick.
Same with the furnace. Let the client see that it is heating and go on to the next step in your protocol.
Jae, well put!